Simple Ham Radio Antennas

HF Antennas Especially stealth models for those in an HOA. Post #1540. http://www.bvarc.org/pdf/HF_Antenna_by_KD5FX.pdf. Accessed on 30 June 2018, 1943 UTC, Post #1540. Author:  Dave Land (KD5FX). Please click link to read the full article. Comment: Erecting a high-performance antenna in a deed-restricted property (HOA/CC&R) can present some difficult challenges for radio amateurs.  Dave Land  (KD5FX) explores this issue in depth and comes up with several antenna designs that could be used in such areas.  Each antenna is fully described with both drawings and photos, so you can easily build each design quickly and efficiently.  Overall, Dave has done an excellent job of assembling antennas that can be used in limited spaces. Here are the major antennas described in Dave's article: The basic dipole, multiband dipoles, random length multiband antennas, verticals, flag pole verticals, inverted V, mobile antennas adapted for backyard use, the fe...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2AyfBMRztw. Common household objects can often be used as antenna elements.  Such is the case with this excellent video tutorial from Dave Tadlock (KG0ZZ).  Dave shows how an old coffee can can be repurposed as a home made 2 meter/70 cm antenna.  All you need is a vertical element cut to the correct length and some kind of metal ground plane or counterpoise to complete the antenna.  The shield of your coaxial feed line might serve this purpose.  A clearly explained, step-by-step procedure that will have you on the air with a fully functional 2 meter/70 cm antenna in a short time.  Depending on what you have in your ham shack, this project could cost you very little. For the latest Amateur Radio news and information, please visit these web sites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-ne...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFbJ7xym_Dg. In part 2 of this video tutorial, "DENMONKEY" completes the initial design, construction, and configuration of his 40 meter delta loop antenna.  He then raises the antenna and makes a few minor adjustments before the testing cycle begins.  The delta loop antenna is a good choice for radio amateurs who can only erect one HF antenna on their property.  For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.infor. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com https://bigislandarrlnews.com. https://amateurradionewsinformation.com (Amateur Radio News & Information). https://www.eham.net. http://www.southgatearc.org. Thanks for joining us today. Aloha es 73 de Russ (KH...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWIsU1Sy3NY. HF Delta Loop Antennas are quiet, versatile, and cost effective antennas for radio amateurs who have room for only one HF antenna.  In this video, "DENMONKEY" takes us step-by-step through the design, construction, set up, running support ropes, and raising of the antenna.  In this case, the antenna is fed at the apex of the support mast using a 4:1 balun connected to convenient length of 50 ohm coaxial cable.  Six to eight turns of the coaxial feed line serve as an RF choke.  In this configuration, the Delta Loop is vertically polarized.  Multiband operation is possible by using a balanced feed line into a balanced antenna "tuner" or into a current balun, coax, antenna "tuner" combination. In Part 2, DENMONKEY tests the antenna and makes a few adjustments. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, p...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmHoQrDfw-0 Michael Martens (KB9VBR) has done an excellent job in explaining how to build a simple, inexpensive 3-element yagi beam antenna for the 2 meter Amateur Radio band.  Michael used commonly available materials for this antenna, including some PVC pipe, steel tape measures, electrical tape, and some coaxial cable from his shack.  Michael's demonstration is quick, to-the-point, and easily followed. This antenna can be used for fox hunts (RDF tests), portable operations, and even for public service events which require a directional antenna.  For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https://bigislandarrlnews.com. ...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KQEQJ5qeuw. Another great and often humorous approach to supporting stealth wire antennas from Callum McCormick (M0MCX).  In this video, Callum shows how aluminum scaffold tubes slip inside sail board/wind surfing masts to make cheap, economic, and structurally sound supports for hidden or stealth antennas.  You could also use telescoping fiberglass masts, PVC pipe, and even bamboo to fashion antenna masts for hidden antennas.  Callum offers many suggestions on how you can raise and support stealth antennas, especially for radio amateurs who have no trees on their property. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawaii.wordpress.com. https...

If you can't see the video, please insert this title URL into your browser search box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwhlSa8CUCk . Every vertical antenna needs a ground radial or a counterpoise system to realize maximum efficiency and reduced SWR.  If you can't lay in a ground radial system, then a counterpoise system consisting of 1/4 wave length wires running parallel to the ground, suspended over the ground under the vertical antenna will insure that SWR is tamed and that your vertical antenna is radiating more efficiently.  In this video, the antenna in question is a tri-band 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm vertical with added counterpoise wires.  An interesting project that you can complete in just a few hours. For the latest Amateur/Ham Radio news and information, please visit these websites: http://www.HawaiiARRL.info. http://www.arrl.org. http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news (a weekly podcast which is updated each Friday afternoon). https://hamradiohawa...